We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mary Wallace. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mary below.
Mary, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?
There are many very important pillars of success, like discipline, hard work, and never giving up. Those are all very important and necessary for success, but I think the first thing it takes to be successful is that you have to define success for yourself. I used to think I wouldn’t be successful until I hit the top of the New York Times Bestseller list. I had dreams of my work winning all of these awards and being revered as the most talented writer of my generation. Don’t get me wrong, I still dream of that sometimes! But I no longer base my life around it.
I’ve redefined what I want success to be for me, and it’s made my life much easier. Now, I define success for me as being proud of the work I produce and making a comfortable living with it. Not just in terms of money, but time–time for myself, time to see loved ones, and time to actually enjoy life. Once you come to terms with the fact that success is different for everyone, you can create unique steps to reach that goal that works for you. For example, right now I’ve been having a bit of writer’s block because I get too caught up in wondering if my work is good enough. So now when I sit down to write, I write as if no one will see it and then the words just come out.
Mary, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m a freelance copy and content writer, and I write creatively as well. My long-term writing goals include being a published author but in the meantime, I write copy and content for brands and small businesses. This includes product descriptions, blog posts, and informational articles. Additionally, I’ve started my own blog where I write personal essays, and short prose, and discuss literature, film, and television.
I always knew I wanted to do something creative for a career and it took some time to figure it out. After high school, I didn’t immediately go to college like my classmates because I had no idea what I wanted and I felt stuck. About a year later, I decided to get a creative writing degree because I figured that nothing in life is guaranteed, so I might as well study what I want and chase my dreams. In my degree program, I learned about all types of writing, which is how I got started with copywriting. It’s actually a lot more creative than people think.
I think what I’m most proud of with this path I’ve taken is that I’ve come to embrace that I’m doing it in my own time. It’s a struggle to not compare myself with others and their success, but I remind myself that everything will come in its own time as long as I keep at it. And that’s partially why I like to help small businesses. Anyone starting their own brand or business isn’t going to see success right away but if we all help each other and lift each other up, we’ll eventually share that success together.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
I think some non-creatives may struggle to understand the point of striving for a creative career in the first place when it can be a very up-and-down journey, with many people giving up along the way, either out of frustration or because it’s not lucrative. In recent years especially, with the rise of science and tech careers, AI, and ChatGPT, people see creativity as a waste or something software can replicate. But the beauty of creativity, whether it’s a book, a poem, a film, or a clever marketing email, is that it was made by an individual who understands humanity and uses that understanding to create something that will speak to people.
There’s a quote from one of my favorite Robin Williams films, ‘Dead Poets Society’, and in it, his character says, “We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are all noble pursuits, and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.”
Everyone watches movies or reads books; the ads they see every day were made by a creative in some capacity, whether it’s the artwork on the ad or the words themselves. Creativity is everywhere and if we discourage people from seeking it, we are ruining what makes life worth it in the first place.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is knowing that something I’ve made speaks to someone. Whether it helps them or just entertains them for a bit, it feels great to know that I connected with someone in whatever way. Especially since I’m not the most open person in real life, I use my writing as a way to get my thoughts and feelings out and be vulnerable and make that connection with people.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mjewrites.substack.com/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=substack_profile
- Instagram: @mjewrites
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-wallace-b185b7143/
- Twitter: @mjewrites